The 2012-2013 NBA regular season is over. Now teams look to build their franchise, add depth to their bench and prepare for the upcoming 2013-2014 NBA season. Many franchises have been attracting attention from player acquisitions to the hiring and firing of head coaches. The Los Angeles Clippers, have been drawing a lot of attention since their season ended, with Chris Paul’s free agency coming up and between their talks with the Celtics for Head Coach Doc Rivers.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
After a lot of back and forth discussions, the Clippers and the Celtics have settled on a deal. The Los Angeles Clippers plan on picking up the remainder of Doc River’s contract of $21 million over the next three years. In return, the Boston Celtics will receive an unprotected first round draft pick in 2015.
This is not the first time in the NBA that a Head Coach has been traded teams. The most recent deal involving a coach was in June 2007, the Miami Heat allowed Stan Van Gundy to leave the team and become head coach for the Orlando Magic. The Heat gave up Van Gundy and in return received two second round draft picks, one in 2007 and one in 2008.
This trade means a lot to both franchises, in different ways. Here is a look on how this trade will affect each franchise.
Los Angeles Clippers
The former guard and now floor general, finds a new home in Los Angeles. Doc has spent some time in Los Angeles, as a player he spent one whole season playing guard for the Clippers. Now Doc is back, to be the head coach of the young and talented Clippers.
The Los Angeles Clippers will be the third team that Doc is head coach for. He previously coached for the Boston Celtics and before that was head coach of the Orland Magic. Doc Rivers brings 14 years of coaching experience to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers parted ways with Vinnie Del Negro after a horrible first round loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Clippers were looking for a coach with a winning regular season record, a winning postseason record and championship experience. With the addition of Doc Rivers, the Clippers got all of that.
He has a regular season record of 587-483. During the playoffs, Doc Rivers has a record of 64-57; along with, one Eastern Conference Championship banner and one NBA Championship banner. The Former Celtic leader was the recipient of Coach of the Year award in 2000. Other than Erik Spoelstra, Gregg Popovich and Rick Carlisle; Doc Rivers is the only other active coach with an NBA Championship ring.
The biggest impact that Doc Rivers will make, will be in helping the Clippers re-sign Chris Paul, who is an upcoming free agent this summer. Everyone involved in this trade is looking to win, which is why it makes sense. If the Clippers survive longer than the first round, Doc Rivers could potentially get Chris Paul to sign an extension next summer.
Doc Rivers was face of the Boston Celtics’ franchise and helped create Boston’s ‘Big Three’ into a championship caliber team, this is exactly what the Clippers are looking for Doc to do in Los Angeles. The Clippers have a long list of talented superstars: Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Caron Butler, Chauncey Billups, Jamal Crawford, etc. With proper coaching from Doc Rivers, the Clippers plan on making a NBA Finals appearance and plan on raising their first banner.
His is a productive and intelligent coach with a strong coaching philosophy. Doc Rivers is a people person, though everyone may not like him, you have to respect him. He has been called a ‘true player’s coach’. Rivers brings constructive criticism with him, something the Clippers are in need of, especially after an early playoff exit.
I believe by the Clippers obtaining Doc Rivers, they have created a more successful and brighter future for their franchise. This could turn the Clippers into a desired hot spot for free agents, something Los Angeles was; instead of the Lakers being the hot spot, now it’s the Clippers.
The Clippers may still pursue a separate deal with Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce, but rumors are that the NBA would most likely disapprove of those deals.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have been facing a re-building phase for the last few years. The hardest hit they took was when Ray Allen left the franchise to join their rivals, the Miami Heat. Now with Doc Rivers parting way, the Celtics must fully commit to re-building their franchise.
By giving up their coach, the Celtics lost a big asset but also benefit by preparing to rebuild to rejoin the top contenders in the NBA. What’s next for Boston? Finding a place for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Rajon Rondo will become the player’s face of the ‘new’ Boston Celtics. What the Celtics must do now is begin negotiating for Garnett and Pierce.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have offered two 2nd round draft picks for Paul Pierce. Whether or not the Celtics ship him to the Cavs, is still up in the air. Paul Pierce will most likely exit Boston before Garnett, as Garnett’s situation is more complicated.
The Celtics will need to act fast with free agency right around the corner. The Celtics need to get rid of Paul Pierce or Garnett to acquire young talent to compliment PG Rajon Rondo and PF Jeff Green.
What’s next? The Celtics now join a list of teams that will be starting the 2013-2014 NBA season with a new head coach. Lionel Hollins would be an acceptable coach for the Celtics to rebuild their franchise around, he did a solid job with the Memphis Grizzlies. He could benefit from a coach with experience who will put in the work for their rebuilding phase.
I think one of the best options would be George Karl; he is a great coach with a great coaching philosophy. Karl has a great track record of making the playoffs each year. One of Karl’s favorite expressions is “Respect the Game” and he drives players to play with a passion.
Another potential head coach for the Celtics is David Fizdale, assistant coach and director of player development for the Miami Heat. Though, as teams rebuild, they look to save money. The Celtics might decide to spend little time and little money on a new coach. There are two very easy options: Danny Ainge steps down from management to coach or Kevin Eastman could step up, an assistant coach on Doc Rivers’ staff.
Whatever the Celtics do, they must do it with confidence. Their time to rebuild is now and if they do not do a proper job they could be looking at a slump season.
All statistics credited to basketball-reference.com and NBA.com
